Looks Can Be Deceiving

Have you ever met someone who made a really lousy first impression? Have you ever been introduced and immediately you wrote them off and stereotyped them as common, ordinary, average—only to find out later that they were terribly gifted in some area?

I don’t make a good first impression. I tend to be bashful, backwards and to a degree I trip over my words. Meet me again and I do a little better and if you are brave enough for a third meeting…I shine. I’m not sure what the problem is, but after really watching how I communicate, I would say, that a job in sales is not in my future.

Recently in choir practice our leader selected a lady I recently met to sing a solo on the choir song. After a few words from the director, it was obvious that the choir had performed this song prior to my joining. Being new to the choir, I paid special attention to the tips and reminders the director gave. The soundtrack started and after 12 measures the soloist began.  What a surprise! The moment she opened her mouth the melodious music drifted through the air. Her gospel-like sound amazed me. This everyday American housewife/homeschooling mom of thirty-some years sounded like a professional musician. It was music to my ears—literally!  I had misjudged this new found friend.  Her humorous demeanor at first glance had seemed her most obvious gift when I met her only days before. Laughter exuded from anyone listening to her. Yet, the real woman stepped out, when her gift for singing was used. It was apparent she was passionate and filled with the spirit of God.

I’m going to be more careful when meeting someone for the first time. What I see on the outside isn’t at all what might be hiding behind my next interaction with them. I’m going to try to give others the second and third chance I’m hoping for to make a good first impression. In the meantime I’m going to enjoy the little surprises that come my way as friendships grow and become more personal. Judging someone on outward appearances only robs me of valuable, meaningful and beautiful moments. I don’t want to miss those times because I was too quick to judge by what someone looked like, the way they talked, the color of their hair or the kind of car they drive.

PRAYER: Let me see others as You see them, Lord.  And let me show others the real me, even when I’d rather blend into the background.

“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart,” I Samuel 16:7 KJV.

Today’s devotion is by Gina Stinson, wife to Bruce, mom to Savannah and Tucker and publicist assistant for Kathy Carlton Willis Communications. In her spare time you can find her blogging, gardening and working in her community and church. Check out her blog http://journalinggina.blogspot.com